Middlesex No. 2
Middlesex No. 2 is a gravity dam located in Washington County, Vermont, built in 1928. It carries a High hazard potential classification.
About Middlesex No. 2
The primary purpose of Middlesex No. 2 is hydroelectric. The dam generates hydroelectric power by channeling water through turbines, converting the energy of flowing water into electricity. The dam is owned by Green Mountain Power Corp (public utility). It impounds the Winooski River near Middlesex.
The dam stands 51 feet tall and stretches 278 feet across, creates a reservoir covering 42 acres, has a maximum storage capacity of 2,700 acre-feet, and collects water from a drainage area of 521 square miles. Completed in 1928, the structure is well-established, with more than 75 years of service.
This dam carries a high hazard potential classification, which means that a failure or uncontrolled release of water would likely cause loss of human life. This classification reflects the consequences of failure, not the likelihood — it indicates that people live or work in the area downstream. The most recent inspection on record was 01/01/1987. That was 39 years ago — unusually long for a high-hazard dam, which typically requires more frequent inspections.
At 51 feet, this dam is taller than 93% of dams nationwide.
Living Downstream
If you live or work downstream of this dam, consider taking these steps: learn your local evacuation routes, check whether your county emergency management office has a dam failure inundation map, and sign up for local emergency alerts. The Vermont dam safety program can provide more specific information about emergency planning for this structure.
Search for dams near your address to see all dams in your area with hazard classifications and safety data.
Location
| State | Vermont |
| County | Washington |
| Nearest City | Middlesex |
| River/Stream | Winooski River |
| Coordinates | 44.29219, -72.68242 |
Physical Characteristics
| Dam Type | Gravity |
| NID Height | 51 ft |
| Dam Height | 51 ft |
| Dam Length | 278 ft |
| Year Completed | 1928 (98 years old) |
Storage & Hydraulics
| NID Storage | 2,700 acre-ft |
| Max Storage | 2,700 acre-ft |
| Surface Area | 42 acres |
| Drainage Area | 521 sq mi |
Ownership & Safety
| Purpose | Hydroelectric |
| Owner | GREEN MOUNTAIN POWER CORP |
| Owner Type | Public Utility |
| Hazard Classification | High |
| Condition Assessment | Not Rated |
| Last Inspection | 01/01/1987 |
| Emergency Action Plan | Not Required |
Identifiers
| NID ID | VT00029 |
| Federal ID | VT00029 |
| More Info | State Dam Safety Program |